Billie Frechette was John Dillinger girlfriend both in real life and as depicted in the recently released film Public Enemies starring John Depp as Dillinger. Frechette was portrayed as a young woman swept away by the charismatic Dillinger. Part of Frechette's story can be found at the National Archives at Kansas City. She grew up on a reservation near Green Bay, WI as a member of the Menominee tribe. Records show she was an excellent student while attending a boarding school at Flandreau, SD. The National Archives at Kansas City are located at 400 W Pershing Rd. Hours for research are 8 am-4 pm, Tues.-Sat.

For the second year in a row the Heartland Labor Forum on KKFI 90.1 FM has taken first prize among radio programs in the International Labor Communications Association (ILCA) Media Awards Contest. The winning show was In Coal Blood: The Kansas Coal Debate, which aired May 8, 2008. It was produced by volunteer Shawn Saving. Jan Brill, who writes and produces the Forum's monthly feature "Don't Be Ladylike," was awarded a honorable mention in the Special Performance of Labor History category. Heartland Labor Forum airs Thursdays, 6 pm, For more information, go to www.heartlandlaborforum.org.

Plastics recycling in the Kansas City metro area has expanded to include marked numbers 3-7. Previously, only plastic bottles numbers 1 and 2 were accepted. The numbers 1-7 are the resin codes that appear in the "chasing arrow" symbol typically located on the bottom of a container. This increase in recyclable plastics applies to all curbside programs, drop-off recycling centers and commercial recycling services offered by AbitibiBowater Inc., Deffenbaugh Recycling and Town & Country Disposal. Visit www.RecycleSpot.org for more information.

Missouri ProVote notes that U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, Republican representing Missouri's 7th District, has taken "more than half a million dollars from the insurance industry." Blunt calls the Democratic proposals to reform the country's health care system a "government takeover." Campaign contributions for Blunt and other elected officials can be found at www.opensecrets.org.

The Master Gardner hotline (816-833-TREE [8733]) is open from 9 am-3 pm, Monday through Friday. Volunteers will staff the hotline to answer questions from the public through Oct. 30. The University of Missouri Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City will also answer questions and accept plant and insect specimens to identify and diagnose from 1-4 pm, Wednesdays thru Oct. 30, at the MU Extension Center in Platte County, 11724 NW Plaza Circle, Ste. 300. For directions, call 816-270-2141. For more information about becoming a Master Gardener, call 816-252-5051.

KC Organics Natural Market is every Saturday through Oct. 17 at Minor Park on Red Bridge Road. Locally grown produce, free-range eggs and more are available. For more information, go to www.kcorganics.com. ... a second location has been established at Park Place, 117th & Nall, in Barkley Square. It's open Wednesdays, 10 am-2 pm.

The Big Sky Documentary Film Festival is seeking submissions for its 7th Annual event, Feb. 12-21, 2010, in Missoula, MT. For more information, go to www.bigskyfilmfest.org.

ONGOING RESOURCES

The Mid-America Regional Council has launched a web site to allow people with little or no health insurance, social service agencies and health care providers to easily access information about free or low-cost health care services in the Kansas City region. A complimentary booklet, the Health Resource Guide, is also available. For more information, go to www.kchealthresource.org or www.marc.org/healthinitiative.

If you're having trouble making your mortgage payments, visit www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/foreclosure/default.htm for a list of resources to help keep your home.

One-half of all new HIV infections are estimated to be among people under the age of 25; one-fourth in people under 21. The Kansas City Free Health Clinic, 3515 Broadway, is making it easier and more comfortable for those under 25 to get an HIV test at the clinic. On Mondays nights the youth-friendly The City (Counseling, Information & Testing for Youth) staff will be on hand from 5 to 8 PM for the FREE walk-in rapid HIV test, which takes 20 minutes. For more information, visit www.kcfree.org.

Free annual credit reports — three reports free every 12 months — are available by first going to www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre34.shtm or call 877-322-28228 for more information.

Worried about your FDIC-insured account amid the bank failures? For information about how FDIC works, what is not covered and what happens when a bank fails, go to www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/news/cnsum08;index.htm.

Yes, the government can do some things right. USA.gov's link to the Cheapest Gas Prices can be found at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/gasprices/states/index.shtml.

Many Jackson County women may be eligible for free breast and cervical cancer screenings through the Missouri Show Me Healthy Women program. Income and age guidelines to qualify. Call 1-800-422-6237 and select option 1, or call 816-858-3740 or visit www.dhss.mo.gov/BreastCervCancer/Eligibility.html.

Consumer Recall information on toys, cars and other products can be found at www.recalls.gov.

Developed by the Mid-America Regional Council and partially funded by the Missouri Dept. of Natural Resources, www.RecycleSpot.org is the one-stop spot to find recycling information for the entire Kansas City area. For a limited time, residents can get a Free Safe Alternatives Kit by going to the web site and taking a survey about hazardous household products.

The U.S. government now has an official channel on YouTube featuring more than 200 videos from 25 agencies, including health and nutrition videos. Go to www.youtube.com/USGovernment.